Ladies and Gentlemen, brothers and sisters, dear guests,

Thank you for your participation in today’s memorial service to honor the victims of the Roma and Sinti Holocaust in Lety u Písku. We have gathered here to remember the darkest chapters of our history and to learn from them lessons for the future.

We are honored to be part of this memorial event, which is organized by the Museum of Roma Culture together with the Committee for Roma Holocaust Reparations in the Czech Republic. Together with you, we want to honor the memory of those who suffered and died here simply because of their origin.

The place where we stand is a symbol of the suffering and pain of innocent people. This camp was one of two places where entire families of Moravian and Czech Roma and Sinti were forcibly concentrated before being transported to the concentration and extermination camp in Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

During its existence, approximately 1,300 men, women and children passed through the Lety camp. It is certain that a total of 326 people died in Lety, most of whom were children. Their deaths remind us of how far human cruelty and ruthlessness can go.

Today, we remember these innocent victims and express our deepest condolences to their families and descendants. It is our duty to teach the younger generations about the horrors of the past and to fight against racism, discrimination and intolerance in society.

This place is also a symbol of the courage and solidarity of those who survived the Holocaust and continued to fight for justice and equality for their people. Their stories are an inspiration to us all and show the strength of the human spirit.

Let us honor the memory of the victims by striving to protect our society from hatred and intolerance. Let us not forget the suffering of thousands of Roma and Sinti during the Second World War. Let us remember them as part of our shared history and pay tribute to their immense suffering.

May this memorial strengthen our resolve to fight for justice, equality and dignity for all people, regardless of their ethnic origin. And may it remind us of our duty to stand on the side of tolerance and understanding in a world facing new challenges and threats.

Thank you for your participation and sharing this important moment of remembrance. Together, we will honor the memory of the Roma and Sinti victims of the Holocaust and commit to a future of tolerance, understanding and peace.

Let us never forget them.